EVALUATION OF ENDOTHELIAL ABNORMALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH BEHCET'S DISEASE

Abstract

Endothelial cells form a monolayer that lines the active vascular system. The structural and functional integrity of endothelium is a fundamental requirement for maintenance of vessel wall homeostasis . (The term endothelial dysfunction is often used to describe several types of potentially reversible changes in the functional state of ECs that occur as a response to environmental factors (Schoen, 1994) Behcef s disease. BO is an autoimmune chronic disorder that is originally charaterised by recurrent uveitis and mouth and genital ulcerations. Many other organs may be affected as a result of generalised vasculitis. Increased plasma levels of ET-1 in patients with BD may be attributable to increased secretion or leakage of this mi to gen from injured vascular endothelial cells. +-"www JAubodies to endothelial cellsare autoanitibodies detected ~any immune-mediated disorders the presence of high ET-TTevel among subset of patients with BD and this increase was associated with disease activity. Also, MlC IDX is a more significant marker of vascular injury in relation to BD.